Stresses upon the relatives of head-injured patients.

As part of a prospective study of closed head injury, 54 relatives were interviewed within a month of the patient's accident and again six and twelve months later. The degree of stress on the relatives was measured by means of the Wakefield Depression Scale and by interview questions. The worst period of stress for the majority of relatives appeared to be during the first month after the accident. However, the degree of stress appeared to level off by the sixth month and no further diminution was found at twelve months. Stress was apparently mediated by the relatives' perception of personality changes and subjective defects. It was not affected by the severity of the head injury or associated disabilities, nor by whether the patient had resumed work and leisure activities. The nature of the stress is analysed and methods of alleviating it discussed.